wildoaks
starting to shine!
Member since November 2008
Posts: 31 
|
Post by wildoaks on Dec 20, 2008 20:30:46 GMT -5
Had a little mishap a couple days ago with a Thumlers A-R2. I've been tumbling 1 barrel of mixed stones. The other barrel empty for now. Will fill that tomorrow. After about 3 weeks of course grind and 5 days into medium (with no mishaps) our 7 year old neighbor came over and decided to check out the tumbler. According to my son, he tried to use his hands to make one of the barrels turn faster and caused it to come off the rollers. And couldn't or didn't know how to put it back on properly and left the scene. I came home a few hours later and checked the tumbler as usual but found a mess. Full barrel had stopped turning, but motor still working. Empty barrel was sitting upright on rollers, I guess wedged on by the other barrel, 2 grooves being worn into its bottom by the rollers. Black rubber residue smeared all over the motor and rollers. Rubber bits and a puddle of oil on the tumbler base. Opened the filled barrel to find some of the grit had clumped somewhat, so I broke it up with a screwdriver and put it back together. Gave everything a thorough cleaning - motor, rollers, belt, base, barrels. It seems to be working fine. Can't make out any difference in sound. But it's the oil puddles that concern me. I admit that I had over oiled it - 6 drops, 3 per port since start - its never leaked. Even after cleaning base, I noticed new drops apparently coming from the motor's shaft. Any chance in that short time some damage to motor bearings could have occurred due to stress of misplaced barrels? Now I'm coming up on 30 days of continuous use. Should I add oil? Thanks for any advice or opinions.
|
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Dec 20, 2008 20:55:12 GMT -5
Thumlers – Takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’ !  I’m guessin’ the oil leaked due to the motor overheating from all the drag. I’d lay off the oil for a while. My AR-2’s been running just fine for three years and never seen a drop of oil. Rich
|
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Dec 20, 2008 22:40:23 GMT -5
What Rich said.  I love my Thumlers. |
|
randy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 117
|
Post by randy on Dec 21, 2008 12:59:00 GMT -5
According to the fellow at Thumler's that I spoke with, The motor should be oiled with the electrical version (blue colored container) of 3-in-1 about every 4 to 6 weeks with about 2 drops per oil port. The rollers should be lubricated about every 4 to 6 weeks with regular 3-in-1. The product in the blue container has higher heat ratings and is intended for electrical motor applications.
I love all three of my Thumlers (Ar-1, AR-2, and AR-6).
Randy
|
|
wildoaks
starting to shine!
Member since November 2008
Posts: 31
|
Post by wildoaks on Dec 21, 2008 22:07:39 GMT -5
Thanks for everyone's input. Seems it may have gone longer unchecked than I originally thought. But I've got both barrels working now and all seems fine. Must be some tuff little motors. Thanks again. RTH is such a great resource because of people like you.
|
|
wildoaks
starting to shine!
Member since November 2008
Posts: 31
|
Post by wildoaks on Dec 21, 2008 22:18:41 GMT -5
Oh, by the way, about the oil...
I had used 3-in-1, 20W, when I 1st started. 2 drops per port. Then a week or 2 later I added another drop per port. Unnecessary in hindsight. I found the oil at Lowes. There's also a 3-in-1 product in nearly identical packaging, but not 20W. I think its something like the WD-40 product after reading it. Got to be careful to get the right one. White Lightning was also there, which I had read someone had suggested. I'll stick to the 3-in-1 20W as recommended by Thumler.
|
|
